"Spiritual Genes"

[noahidelaws]

BS"D In explaining the cause of pagan immorality, Masbir wrote:
It had to do with genes. Knaan and Mitzriam were grandchildren of Chom, epigon of immorality, Chornites, hailed from Shem.
To which Jude replied:
"It had to do with genes." - but Cham had the same parents as Sheim and Yefes! Why did he turn out that way?

Towards the end of the 2nd chapter of Tanya, the Alter Rebbe says that the behaviour of the parents at the time of conception creates the "levush" – the level of spiritual sensitivity of the child.

But from here it appears that parents somehow implant ALL of their experiences and their particular spiritual level in their children.

So it seems that there is a concept of "Spiritual Genes". This is, of course, part of the reason that a distinguished lineage is valued.


What are some other sources for this notion?
To what exact degree does it affect the child's personality?

[Jude]

1) All Jews are rachmanim, baishanim, and gomlei chasadim (compassionate, bashful, and kind)

2) All descendent of Amalek are evil.

3) the law is Moavi v'lo Moavis, Amoni v'lo Amonis - we accept female converts from Moav and Amon, but not male converts, because the males are cruel.

4) Descendents of Yishmael steal and are immoral.

5) Jews are maaminim bnei maaminim (believers, children of believers)

[Jude]

From "Letters from the Rebbe" vol. 4, p.55:

"... Your Chasidic ancestry certainly stands you in good stead, for spiritual qualities are hereditary, especially deep-rooted ones which the Chasidic teachings and way of life cultivate."

[Jude]

what about different styles of learning that different nationalities were/are known for, i.e. Polish, Hungarian, Lithuanian

I've heard it maintained that it was not just something acquired from one's teacher, but was part of the national character

any sources, information?

[Yankel Nosson]

This issue is addressed in the case of a ben zekunav (a child of old age) who is considered chashuv because the father was older and after a lifetime of avodah has already been mesaken his midos and machshavas, which go into the formation of the child.

[Gevurah]

i.e. the Maharash

[Yankel Nosson]

i.e. the MaharashLike he is quoted as saying to his older brother, "you are older in your years, I am older in father's years."

[jjbennoach]

I am posting a link to this story just for amazement's sake, not because I believe the geneticist's theory. But it does make me wonder...

http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/11/14/ngod14.xml

'God gene' discovered by scientist behind gay DNA theory